New guide launched by experts to help carers identify pain in people with dementia

Napp Pharmaceuticals and a group of experts in the fields of pain management and dementia care have launched a new training resource to help carers develop skills in identifying the signs and symptoms of chronic pain in people who are less able to communicate.

The training material ‘Recognising Pain in People with Dementia: A Carer’s Guide’ has been designed to advise carers and other healthcare professionals regarding how to recognise and assess pain in people who often have trouble communicating their discomfort.  

Chronic pain is common among older people, who are more likely to suffer from problems such as arthritis and often a have a number of co-morbidities. In patients with dementia, who are often left unable to communicate due to the ravages of the disease, this may mean they are unable to tell someone if a physical problem, such as pain, exists.  

It is estimated that 50% of the elderly population suffer from chronic pain, with this figure rising to 80% in a care home setting. However, research done by Napp reveals 68% of independent care homes believe that fewer than half of their dementia patients were affected by pain. This represents a startling number of people with dementia who are likely to be suffering unrecognised pain.

At the core of the training pack, a simple mnemonic aims to assist carers in identifying the key behavioural changes that may indicate that a person with dementia is experiencing pain:

• Pick up on mood changes
• Assess verbal cues
• Inspect facial expressions
• Notice body language

The pack also includes a range of electronic and printed materials that can be referenced by carer’s including:

• A CD containing a selection of films, featuring experts and carer’s sharing their experiences, and highlighting the importance of looking out for pain in people with dementia.
• A summary of key signs that indicate a person with dementia may be in pain
• A body map tool that highlights many of the underlying medical conditions and common complaints that could cause pain
• A flow chart providing steps you could take if you suspect someone you are caring for is experiencing pain

All materials contained within the packs and associated with the See Change: Think Pain campaign are also available online via the Pain in People with Dementia section on Napp’s educational website: www.paincentrenapp.co.uk.

“Recognising Pain in People with Dementia: A Carer’s Guide” has already been promoted by Admiral Nurses

Paul Schofield, Medical Director, Napp Pharmaceuticals Ltd said, “Looking after someone in distress, but unable to communicate why, can be incredibly difficult. The big problem is that if you or I have pain, we can tell someone about it, we can express it, but for people with dementia, very often they are unable to tell us what they’re feeling. Therefore the people caring for people with dementia need to learn how to pick up the cues. If you think pain when you see a change – you will be amazed at how often you see it.”

Karen Harrison Dening, Head of Admiral Nursing said, “The Carer’s Guide is a particularly valuable training resource, which has already been promoted by Admiral Nurses. We have received really positive responses from our nurses and witnessed increased levels of awareness of pain management by our carers. In addition, following engagement with nurses and carers, we have found that many care homes are actively requesting access to the ‘Recognising Pain in People with Dementia: A Carer’s Guide.”